inward

adjective

in·ward | \ ˈin-wərd

Definition of inward

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 : situated on the inside : inner

2a : of or relating to the mind or spirit inward peace

b : absorbed in one's own mental or spiritual life : introspective

3 : marked by close acquaintance : familiar

4 : directed toward the interior

inward

adverb

\ ˈin-wərd

variants: or inwards \ ˈin-wərdz

Definition of inward (Entry 2 of 3)

1 : toward the inside, center, or interior

2 : toward the inner being

inward

noun

Definition of inward (Entry 3 of 3)

1 : something that is inward

2 inwards\ ˈin-ərdz

, -wərdz\ plural : innards

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about inward

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Synonyms & Antonyms for inward

Synonyms: Adjective

inner, inside, interior, internal

Antonyms: Adjective

exterior, external, outer, outside, outward

Examples of inward in a Sentence

Adjective

moved towards the inward room for more privacy he's more inward with the president than most members of the cabinet

Adverb

The window faces inward toward the courtyard. He turned his attention inward.

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

The fall of his hand and the slight inward turn of his feet broadcast vulnerability and melancholy. — Vogue, "“Friday I’m in Love”—A Valentine to Robert Smith as the Cure Is Inducted Into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame," 29 Mar. 2019 To prevent the yuan’s decline from becoming permanent, Chinese policy makers need to encourage more inward investment to offset rising consumption of foreign wares. — WSJ, "Yuan Weakness Isn’t Just About Trump," 7 Aug. 2018 The researchers reported that the sheer weight of the galaxy, from its huge cloud of gas, puts so much inward pressure on the monster's body that the outward pressure of its spin can't compensate. — Rafi Letzter, Fox News, "This ancient 'monster' galaxy should have destroyed itself," 30 Aug. 2018 Under this electric sky, find the balance between your outward expression and inward reflection. — Aliza Kelly Faragher, Allure, "What Your Sign's August 2018 Horoscope Predictions Mean for You," 30 July 2018 On Wednesday, November 7, the new moon in Scorpio blankets the sky, and this is a time for inward reflection. — Aliza Kelly Faragher, Allure, "What Your Sign's November Horoscope Predictions Mean for You," 28 Oct. 2018 With just nine races left until the Chase begins, such inward reflection is becoming increasingly important for the native of Monterrey, Mexico. — Deaundra Allen, charlotteobserver, "Suarez looks to use Coke Zero Sugar 400 as stepping stone," 6 July 2018 In front of the wolf, which really is lurking around like an unsubtle metaphor at this point, June emits a primal scream that is an expression of all of her inward trauma. — refinery29.com, "The Handmaid's Tale Season 2, Episode 11 Recap: The Wolf Is A Metaphor," 27 June 2018 Yoga postures that provide an inward rotation of the shoulder, like Cow Face Pose, create balanced flexibility. — Author: Christine Cunningham, Anchorage Daily News, "How the Cow Face Pose can make you a better duck hunter," 19 June 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Adverb

Like many of its neighbors, Germany is threatening to turn inward. — Alan Crawford, Bloomberg.com, "As Merkel’s Power Drains, the Threat to Europe Grows," 27 June 2018 An economic shock can shake the members’ priorities, spurring them to turn inward. — Julia Gray, Washington Post, "Are we witnessing the collapse of the global order? Probably not — yet.," 18 May 2018 The eyes of nearly all of Saar's sculptures are open, but their focus seems turned inward, as if the figures are protecting a deep, inner power by not giving up their gaze. — Leah Ollman, latimes.com, "Alison Saar turns things 'Topsy Turvy' at L.A. Louver," 9 Apr. 2018 Another important note: Avoid letting your knees cave inward, on both the down and up portion of the squat. — Amy Marturana, SELF, "17 Squat Variations That Will Seriously Work Your Butt," 18 Mar. 2019 To evoke the iconic mob wife, Polko styled Teigen's hair into a loose bob with a smooth, all-across fringe with ends that Polko curled inward. — Leah Prinzivalli, Allure, "Chrissy Teigen’s New Bob Is Giving Us Scarface Vibes," 18 Mar. 2019 The patent filing, made in May 2017, describes a flexible screen that folds inward when the device closes but doesn’t crease. — Rob Barry, WSJ, "Return of the Razr—With a Foldable Screen and $1,500 Price," 16 Jan. 2019 But if previous generations looked outward and overseas for inspiration, Hanoi’s new wave is gazing inward. — Peter Jon Lindberg, Condé Nast Traveler, "Hanoi, Time and Again," 20 Nov. 2018 More generally, a turn inward risks undercutting our best defense against epidemics: working with other countries to fight them overseas. — Ron Klain, Vox, "A pandemic killing tens of millions of people is a real possibility — and we are not prepared for it," 15 Oct. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Bengoechea had pulled a medieval-looking flag from the Palazzo’s exterior through a window, allowing the flag to spill inwards, and cover the exquisite marble work like a carpet. — Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, "In Her New Book, Wendy Goodman Asks May I Come In? Thankfully, a Lot of People Said Yes," 4 Oct. 2018 Such satellites would likely be lost during the chaos-inducing inward migration undertaken by these giants after their formation, the thinking goes. — Mike Wall, Space.com, "First Exomoon Found? Neptune-Sized World Possibly Spotted Orbiting Alien Planet," 3 Oct. 2018 In the Charlottesville City Council, anger and resentment over last year’s march quickly turned inwards, as progressives went to war with themselves. — James Loeffler, WSJ, "The Struggle for Charlottesville," 10 Aug. 2018 Aikens rallied on his inward nine and squared up his match vs. O’Leary with a birdie on No. — Mia Berry, BostonGlobe.com, "Defending MassAm champion Matt Parziale falls in quarters," 12 July 2018 July’s promise to you is something far greater and more enduring, and the temporary discomfort of quieting down and turning inwards will be well worth it. — Bess Matassa, Teen Vogue, "Monthly Lovescopes July 2018," 2 July 2018 And so, in the months since my own diagnosis, my response has been to try and look outwards as well as inwards. — Aaron Gilbreath, Longreads, "The Inward Empire," 27 June 2018 The white garage door on the victim's house looked warped inwards, with enough space for someone to enter or exit. — Jordan Cutler-tietjen, sacbee, "His friend said he wasn't returning calls. Homicide detectives now are investigating his death.," 24 June 2018 Do it: Stand with your feet hip-width apart and hold a dumbbell in your right hand, palm facing inwards towards the torso. — Emily Abbate, GQ, "The Best Abs Workouts: GQ’s Definitive Guide to Getting a Ripped Stomach," 14 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'inward.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.